Organic Pumpkin Rouge Vif d'Etampes plants - Cucurbita maxima

The Bright Red Etampes Pumpkin is a traditional variety that produces large bright red fruits. They are spherical, very flattened, even incurved, ribbed and often bumpy. Their flesh is thick, yellow-orange, tender and watery. It is a running, vigorous and early variety that can be planted from April to June for a harvest in September - October. The Bright Red Etampes Pumpkin, originally from the town of Etampes in Essonne, is the most cultivated variety in France, introduced to France in the mid-19th century. Its yield is 1 to 4 fruits, each weighing between 5 and 15 kg, per plant.

Pumpkins, potimarrons and giraumons belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and the species Cucurbita maxima. This annual herbaceous plant has long, vigorous, running or climbing stems with strong tendrils. Each plant has separate male and female flowers, making it monoecious; it is the female flowers that will produce the fruits once fertilized by the pollen from the male flowers.

They come in many shapes and colors, from large ribbed orange or red fruits with orange flesh, to oblong shapes, pear shapes or "Turkish hat" shapes. Originally from South America, this species is said to have been introduced to Europe in the 16th or 17th century, along with its cousins, other species of Cucurbita. They are often mistakenly called "pumpkins" even though they belong to a different species, Cucurbita pepo, with fibrous flesh and a hard, fibrous stem. As for the pumpkin, it has sweet, tasty and less fibrous flesh with a tender and spongy stem.

Pumpkins are low in calories but rich in vitamins, minerals and potassium, and are known for their antioxidant properties.

Harvest and Storage:

The squashes should be harvested as late as possible, without risking the first frosts. Keep the stem as thick as possible and store them in a temperate room (10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F)). This way, you can store them for a few months to a year, avoiding them from touching each other.

The Gardener's Tip:

To save space and protect your fruits from rot, pumpkins can be grown vertically on supports such as a trellis or sturdy stakes. If you let your pumpkins run, during fruit ripening, consider placing a tile, brick or a thick layer of straw between the ground and the fruit to isolate it from moisture and prevent rotting.